SRINAGAR: Kashmir Editors Guild (KEG) acknowledged the response of state police chief in which he regretted the marshalling of news photographers by a police officer, last week. He has assured that the police will look into the issue, inquire and take action.
State police Chief Dr S P Vaid talked to KEG President Fayaz Ahmad Kaloo and regretted the police action. He said he will look into the issue, and take action. Dr Vaid also promised that such things will not recur in future.
KEG in an extra-ordinary meeting had decided that media will stop publishing the press statements and advertisements issued by the police orginsation in protest against police inaction against the erring officials. The media body had regretted that assaults on the media have become a routine.
KEG hopes that the police investigates the case thoroughly and ensures that the accused are brought to book. The media body believes that that press has a role and responsibility which it has been delivering professionally and objectively. Any effort to obstruct its legitimate activities will not only be resisted but will automatically question the very fundamentals of the system itself. KEG believes that media being a very small population is already profiled and is identifiable even in worst situations.
Earlier in a statement Director General Police (DGP), Dr S P Vaid had lauded the media-police relations, saying that the two institutions have been working in complete harmony and in a spirit of camaraderie amid challenging situations.
“It is heartening that the media and the police are performing their professional responsibilities by understanding each other fully, even at times when the situation unfolds numerous challenges”, the DGP said in a statement. He appreciated the sagacious approach of the media in meeting challenges confronting the State on various fronts.
DGP hoped that the media, being the fourth pillar of democracy, will perform its professional obligations in most conducive atmosphere and assured that the police will always facilitate their job by providing all sort of assistance.
While regretting the recent unfortunate incident involving a photojournalist and a police officer, Dr Vaid hoped that such isolated instances will not come in the way of synergized approach of the law enforcing agency and the media fraternity. He said the matter is being looked into. He said JKP in consultation with the media fraternity intends to provide a special identification badge for photo journalists working in the field so that they are facilitated in performing their professional duties.
